As the first days of principal photography for Star Wars: Episode II are underway as planned in Sydney, Australia, Casting Director Robin Gurland continues to select acting talent from surrounding areas to fill the roles of the film's many new characters.

Joining Jay Laga'aia, Leeanna Walsman and other local actors already announced, starwars.com is pleased to add Bonnie Piesse, Alethea McGrath, Matt Doran and Susie Porter to the list of confirmed talent for Episode II.

Best known for her role as Donna on the television series High Flyers, Bonnie Piesse will play the role of Beru in Episode II, the woman who -- along with Owen Lars -- will go on to raise Luke Skywalker on Tatooine. Piesse has been a guest on Blue Heelers and Horace & Tina and played the lead in Composite Creatures.

A veteran of stage, television and film, Alethea McGrath has been selected to play a Jedi academic in Episode II. Her extensive credits include the stage plays Strezlecki, The Three Sisters, Barefoot in the Park, and the award-winning After the Service, television roles in Something in the Air, Dogwoman, Neighbours, and Prisoner, as well as motion picture appearances in Dead Letter Office, Epsilon, The Eye the Sky, and Dallas Doll.

Young Matt Doran, cast as an unsavory troublemaker in Episode II, already has some impressive credits to his name. On television, he played lead character Damian on Home and Away, along with prominent guest appearances on GP, Fallen Angels, Water Rats, Medivac, Murder Call, and Stingers. His film credits include Lillian's Story, Praise, The Big Night Out, Victim and Neophytes and Neon Lights. However, North American audiences will know Doran best from his roles as Coombs in The Thin Red Line and as Mouse in The Matrix.

Susie Porter's role as Deirdre in the film Two Hands made her a FCCA Annual Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress. She has appeared in several films including Paradise Road and Welcome to Woop Woop and played the lead roles in Feeling Sexy and Better than Sex. Porter has the lead role in the upcoming film The Monkey's Mask co-starring Kelly McGillis and will also appear in Bootmen with Adam Garcia. Her television experience includes parts on Wildside, Water Rats and Aftershocks. Porter is set to play a waitress in Episode II.

Stay tuned for further casting announcements as they happen, and check the Episode II cast section for a new photo of Daniel Logan and other announced cast members.